A high-stakes ownership battle is underway at West Ham United as Amanda Staveley and Daniel Kretinsky vie for control of the London Stadium club. Staveley, a former Newcastle co-owner, has reportedly made an offer to acquire David Sullivan’s 38.8 percent stake in West Ham for approximately £228 million. In addition, she has agreed to purchase Vanessa Gold’s 25.1 percent holding for £160 million, which would give her a majority share of 63.9 percent in the club.
However, Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, who currently owns 27 percent of West Ham, has taken a strategic step to protect his position. He transferred just over two percent of his shares to Jakub Havrlant, a trusted associate, which lowered his direct stake below the 25 percent threshold. This maneuver allows Kretinsky to activate his rights as an existing shareholder under the club’s governance structure, giving him the opportunity to match Staveley’s £160 million bid for Gold’s shares.
Should Kretinsky acquire the Gold family’s stake, his total holding would rise to roughly 49.9 percent. Notably, this figure falls just short of a 50 percent controlling interest, which under UK regulations would compel him to launch a full takeover bid, including the requirement to purchase Sullivan’s shares. By divesting a small portion to Havrlant first, Kretinsky sidesteps that obligation and gains operational control without the additional financial burden of buying out Sullivan.
Sullivan has come under increased scrutiny following a BBC investigation into historical misconduct allegations, which he denies. Pressure has mounted on him to exit the club amid the controversy, providing Staveley with an opening to negotiate a buyout.
Staveley’s group, led by private equity firm PCP Partners and co-headed by her husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi, is aiming to return West Ham to Premier League prominence and has expressed interest in potentially acquiring the London Stadium itself.
Meanwhile, financial difficulties have resurfaced for Staveley in connection to her previous involvement with Newcastle United. Documentation related to Redstart Leisure, the vehicle she used for Newcastle investments, reveals an unresolved debt exceeding £750,000 owed to the club. Despite placing Redstart into voluntary liquidation in 2024, the outstanding loan remains unpaid, drawing attention to her broader financial dealings.
The unfolding contest now enters a crucial phase, with club rules granting existing owners two rounds of first refusal before outside parties can finalize a purchase. Staveley and Kretinsky face a potential two-month wait as the process progresses, with control of the Premier League club hanging in the balance.
Commenting on the recent share transfer, Kretinsky stated, "I’m delighted Jakub Havrlant has joined the West Ham ownership group as a shareholder. He brings experience as an investor and digital innovator." The statement underscores Kretinsky’s intent to consolidate influence through trusted partners as West Ham’s ownership structure undergoes significant changes.